Rescuers search for survivors of powerful Indonesia earthquake

Search Operations Continue Following Major Indonesian Quake

Ninoda.com – Emergency crews are working to locate survivors after a powerful tremor struck the Indonesian island of Flores on Saturday morning. The magnitude 7.7 earthquake, which occurred shortly before 05:00 local time (22:00 GMT on Friday), registered at a depth of 15 kilometers according to Indonesia’s meteorology and geophysics agency. At least 47 individuals have lost their lives as a result of the disaster.

Widespread Destruction Across Multiple Provinces

Preliminary assessments suggest hundreds of structures sustained severe damage from the main shock and subsequent aftershocks. The death toll breakdown shows 24 fatalities in Manggarai province, 17 in East Manggarai, three in Sikka, and one each in Ngada, Ende, and West Manggarai provinces. Additionally, two people suffered serious injuries while eleven sustained minor wounds.

More than 150 homes were heavily damaged, alongside dozens of schools, medical centers, religious buildings, government offices, and other public facilities. Officials note that the remote, mountainous terrain will require additional time to fully evaluate the extent of destruction across the region.

Residents Awakened by Violent Shaking

Many victims perished while sleeping as buildings crumbled around them. Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, governor of East Nusa Tenggara province, shared this information during a press conference. Others were jolted from their beds by the violent tremors.

“I was startled awake and immediately went to my child’s room,” said Arnold Welianto, a resident of Talibura village near the Sikka coastline.

Welianto also mentioned that numerous locals had already moved toward higher ground after observing the sea recede. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) confirmed that tremors were felt as far west as Bima Regency and City, though the Manggarai province remains among the hardest-hit areas.

Tsunami Warning Lifted After Initial Concerns

Authorities initially issued a tsunami alert, prompting approximately 2,000 residents to evacuate on their own. The warning was removed roughly three hours after the earthquake when no substantial increase in sea level was observed. Landslides did obstruct access to certain villages, but experienced rescue teams persisted throughout the day extracting people trapped beneath debris.

Footage captured at Maumere port—the largest settlement on Flores—depicted massive concrete sections falling from the terminal building onto passengers awaiting an inter-island ferry. Several individuals were thrown into the water when the ship’s gangway gave way.

Ongoing Relief Efforts

The BNPB reported that 10,500 aid packages have already reached base operations. In Ruteng, medical personnel set up a temporary tent outside a hospital to treat injured residents. People were observed moving inland following the tsunami alert before it was eventually lifted.

The earthquake occurred approximately 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) from Bali. Indonesia sits at the convergence of three major tectonic plates, making the nation highly susceptible to seismic and volcanic activity. The BNPB continues advising residents to remain calm and avoid coastal zones and damaged structures. News of a separate magnitude 6.9 earthquake at Indonesia’s opposite end further highlighted why this region earns the nickname “ring of fire.”